Abstract
Background: Omental biopsy has conventionally been performed using a surgical approach. USG-guided
omental biopsy is a safe and effective alternative. The purpose of this study was
to assess the utility of USG guidance for biopsy of the greater omentum. Study design:
Retrospective study. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed all omental biopsies performed under USG guidance from
April 2006 to March 2010 in a tertiary care hospital. Results: One hundred and seventy-three patients were included. Out of these, 82 (47%) patients
were diagnosed to have malignancies, 58 (34%) patients had granulomatous inflammation
either suggestive of or consistent with tuberculosis, 29 (17%) patients were diagnosed
to have inconclusive biopsy results, and 4 (2%) patients had an inadequate sample
for histopathological examination. There were no major procedure-related complications.
Conclusion: USG-guided biopsy of the omentum is a safe and effective procedure. A thickened omentum
can serve as an easily accessible site for biopsy, especially in patients who have
ascites of unknown etiology and in those with a history of previous malignancy.
Keywords
Biopsy - greater omentum - ultrasound
